Bardot dress for work

[Dressconfused]

I have a meeting with some clients in two weeks. Having wfh for nearly two years and not been into the office, I don’t fit into my work clothes at all, so I need a new dress.

Been struggling to find anything but came across a Bardot style dress that, whilst strictly speaking an occasion dress, I think can work as an office dress with simple court shoes. Just not 100% sure if it’s too much.

It’s a meeting in the office followed by dinner and drinks.

If it wasn’t for the Bardot style, I wouldn’t question it and would have worn it as it’s very me. My style is feminine and tailored, if that makes sense.

www.phase-eight.com/product/ashleigh-bardot-dress-220763351.html#navAjax=true&is=false&cgid=dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=color&prefv1=Blue&pid=220763351&pos=11

What do you think?

If you wear a jacket or pashmina to cover your shoulders it’s ok. Naked shoulders at work distracts your male colleagues, particularly those from more traditional cultures. and so is unprofessional… Unless you work in rock music or something 🤣

Erm no. Not with clients.

No - never show your shoulders, underarms or toes at work!

@MsFogi

No - never show your shoulders, underarms or toes at work!

This

@Thewindwhispers

If you wear a jacket or pashmina to cover your shoulders it’s ok. Naked shoulders at work distracts your male colleagues, particularly those from more traditional cultures. and so is unprofessional… Unless you work in rock music or something 🤣

Is this a serious comment? Fairly sexist

That is emphatically not a work dress.

Even with a jacket it's not a work dress.

@Thewindwhispers

If you wear a jacket or pashmina to cover your shoulders it’s ok. Naked shoulders at work distracts your male colleagues, particularly those from more traditional cultures. and so is unprofessional… Unless you work in rock music or something 🤣

While I agree that the neckline on the dress makes it not one for work (outside of some kind of evening event), I really don’t think any woman should be choosing her clothing based on whether things would distract men.

I think the dress is fine for dinner/drinks

As for work, it depends on your workplace dress code.

I work in finance within civil service; that dress wouldn’t be out of place in my office as we have an ambiguous “smart/casual” dress code. I feel like I would be overdressed for the occasion in it though, also don’t like the straps as it looks like bra straps.

I think sleeveless dresses/tops can look smart for work, depends on the person I suppose. Someone with the right figure and general classy demeanour could pull it off.

No way

Its absolutely lovely, but NSFW

I would look at a skirt and top from the same range at the same shop, so the fabric should match and you can make a "dress" out of them.

Sleeveless dresses can be fine for work. A simple sleeveless shift dress for example. But not this style.

I would have thought that at this time of year you would be wearing a cardigan or jacket anyway. It is too cold for bare shoulders just now.

However, you would look very overdressed where I work.

Sorry OP it's not suitable for work. I work in a very creative sector & couldn't imagine someone showing up to work in an outfit like this. It would be totally out of place.

And in my entire 52 years I've never seen any woman wear a party dress with a pashmina in a work environment! Utterly bizarre suggestion!,

OP if I were you & i was determined to wear a dress i'd look for a silky shirt dress with a fitted top & fuller skirt. There's loads of then about

I love this dress! Give it to me!

Personally, l would not wear it to a work event other than a works party (anyone remember those?) but every workplace is different.

It’s only work appropriate if you are a hostess at a fancy restaurant

No - never show your shoulders, underarms or toes at work!

I wear vest tops, shorts and flip flops in summer....but I don't have client meetings or dinners. However clients do occassionally visit my workplace and they would not bat an eye that I was wearing that. (But obviously a very different - more informal - work setting)

Save this one for a nice occasion, not work!

Sorry definitely not. Not for your meeting next month either. As PP has said, it's a party dress, not suitable for work and doesn't slip well between the two.

Although l would not wear this dress for work, l think there is a danger here in assuming all workplaces are identical. I certainly wouldn’t have a problem with my toes showing as a PP has suggested.

OMG yes!! I have that dress! And I’ve worn it to work! I work in a big firm in the City.

It depends on your workplace and figure I think. I have more boobs and curves than the model on the photo, so on me, it’s a navy dress that drapes. It’s very flattering.

To be fair, I wouldn’t wear it to a meeting with a formal client because of the shoulders, but I would wear it to a meeting with a familiar client. So depends on who the client is really.

And in my entire 52 years I've never seen any woman wear a party dress with a pashmina in a work environment! Utterly bizarre suggestion!

I agree. Some of these responses are a bit odd.

I have worked in places where sandals are fine, and where a sleeveless suit dress would be acceptable. But I've never worked anywhere where an 'occasion' dress teamed with a pashmina would be considered suitable for a client meeting.

I should add that on me, this dress looks nothing like the photo. It’s more fitted around the bust and skims over the hips. So the image is deceiving.

Also, personally, the dress is too plain and boring to be an occasion dress. I would never wear anything like that to an occasion.

No bare shoulders at work has always been the guideline I followed regardless of temperatures. You could wear with with a cardigan or a blazer to a client meeting but definitely not on its own, sorry.